Lawrence McPike

Lawrence “Jewel” McPike III 56, of 4028 North Illinois Avenue, Peoria Heights, Illinois.  Departed this life at 3:32pm on Monday June 13, 2022 at Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Born on October 20, 1965 in Peoria, IL to Lawrence Jewel and Willene (Pearl) McPike II.

He graduated from Limestone Community High School Class of 1983. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and proudly served. Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force he resided in Tucson, AZ where he worked at the Public Defender Office for 10 years. He returned to Peoria, IL in 2001 to help care for his maternal grandmother, Marjorie, his “Sweetest”, whom he loved dearly. He attended classes at Illinois Central College and was pursuing a degree in communications. He formerly worked at Caterpillar but had since found his true calling of being a radio DJ with 90.7 WAZU. Where in his own words, he was “Just a man trying to save the world one slow jam at a time”.

Jewel is survived by his mother Willene McPike of Tucson, AZ; three sons Aaron McPike of Tucson, AZ, Jordan McPike of San Diego, CA and Adrien McPike of Peoria, IL.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents William Pearl Sr and Marjorie Nancy Rudd Pearl, his maternal uncle William Pearl Jr and his father Lawrence Jewel McPike II.

Jewel was an avid sports fan and especially loved the Dallas Cowboys. The family is requesting for guests of the funeral services to please wear your favorite team jersey and or hat.  

A visitation will be held on July 1, 2022 from 09:30am to 11:00 am at Cumerford-Clary Funeral Home. Funeral Service will begin at 11:00am Reverend Deveraux Hubbard will officiate the service. Burial will follow at 1:00 pm. Burial will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.